What I’ve learned and am learning as a career artist and songwriter in Nashville.
Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life. – Anonymous (Some say Confucius, but likely not. It just made for a nice title.) If you make your hobby your job, it’ll take the fun out of it. – My Dad Before music was my livelihood, I spent […]
Confucius vs My Dad Read More »
Sometimes as a songwriter you think you lack good ideas. The thing you might not realize is that you probably already have a lot of good ideas, you’re just looking in the wrong places.
Where I Look for Good Song Ideas Read More »
In junior high I ran cross-country. It’s that sport where you run on golf courses, all the while wishing you were golfing. I remember this one race. Park Rapids, Minnesota. Hills everywhere. I was running a pretty decent race. My lap times were good, and I felt strong. But with less than 50 yards to
Don’t Finish a Race Like This Read More »
For most career choices I recommend thinking things through. But if you really want to be a professional artist or singer-songwriter then I would very much recommend not thinking things through.
Strange Advice for Aspiring Artists Read More »
I don’t even want to to know the amount of money I used to spend sending my CD to radio stations and magazines. It’s probably in the billions. But I still remember the first time my music got reviewed. I couldn’t believe somebody other than my relatives actually listened and wrote about it. Are you
Getting Public Recognition Read More »
When I signed my first publishing deal in 2012, I got a little sick to my stomach. My 16 year-old artist spirit went into existential crisis mode. Did I just sell my soul?
Publishing Deals and Whack-A-Mole Read More »
Trying to book my own gigs in the beginning was a lot like going door to door selling vacuum cleaners. Only I was telling the person they could have the vacuum cleaner for free. I just wanted them to take it and like it.
When No One Takes You Seriously Read More »
It wasn’t what I expected. What I expected was a recording studio you’d see in the movies or in Rolling Stone magazine. Huge rooms with vaulted ceilings and sliding glass doors. A sound engineer smoking cigarettes over a mixing console.
What It Was Like Starting Out (Recording My First Songs) Read More »
After I’ve taken Silas to school, after I’ve talked with Heidi about the day, while August is still sleeping and Lorentz is eating, I walk to my studio in the backyard. Come walk with me (and see if I spill the coffee)….
Want to Walk Out to My Studio with Me? Read More »
Inspiration seems to hit at the worst times. You’re sitting there minding your own business, but then you have a thought and a feeling, and a moment to react before continuing to, let’s say, brush your teeth. For the past several years I’ve made a habit of at least trying to grab inspiration by its
The Infancy of My Most Popular Song Read More »